Space weathering is a comprehensive term for a set of processes that occur on the Moon and other airless bodies, primarily micrometeorite bombardment and charged particle irradiation. The effects of space weathering in lunar regolith include darkening and reddening of the spectral signature, and an increase in the abundance of certain elements (e.g., He, H) associated with solar wind bombardment. Inspection of returned samples has revealed the presence of agglutinates in the regolith, as well as nanophase Fe which is believed to be the cause of spectral alterations. Using pulsed laser irradiation, it is possible to simulate the effects of micrometeorite bombardment. We have examined a set of experimentally weathered mafic minerals (e.g., olivine, pyroxene) using X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy as well as electron energy loss spectroscopy. Results from these experiments, as well as density functional theory simulations, will be presented. We will also discuss the effects of laser irradiation on metallic oxidation state.

Studies of the effects of simulated space weathering on transition metal oxidation states

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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